GB2192082A

GB2192082A - Bottles with display markings

Info

Publication number: GB2192082A
Application number: GB08608076A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael H B Peters
Original assignee: Seagram United Kingdom Ltd
Current assignee: Diageo United Kingdom Ltd
Priority date: 1986-04-02
Filing date: 1986-04-02
Publication date: 1987-12-31
Also published as: GB8608076D0

Abstract

A bottle having markings 16,20 on the front of the bottle, eg printing on a label or printing direct on the bottle wall a substantially blank space on the front of the bottle forming a window 17 therein, the bottle being substantially transparent in the region of the window, and a substantially transparent area 19 on the back of the bottle aligned with the window in the front of the bottle and adapted to carry markings eg printing or a label which can be seen through the window in the front of the bottle. The markings on the front of the bottle preferably form a visually integral part of the markings on the back, eg a cricket ball 22 on the front and a cricketer on the back. The bottle is preferably of transparent material, eg glass or plastics, the rear wall being opaque except for the transparent area. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved bottle The present invention is concerned with a bottle for holding a beverage.

It is the common practice to attach front and back labels to a bottle, each label having information printed on its outer surface which can be seen and read by a person looking at the front or back of the bottle. We have now found that an unusual and attractive effect can be achieved by forming a transparent area in the front of the bottle and providing a back label which is aligned with the transparent area and which carries information which can be seen through the front of the bottle.

Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention we provide a bottle having markings on the front of the bottle, a substantially blank space on the front of the bottle forming a window therein, the bottle being substantially transparent in the region of the window and a substantially transparent area on the back of the bottle aligned with the window in the front of the bottle and adapted to carry markings which can be seen through the window in the front of the bottle.

Preferably, the markings on the front of the bottle include indicia located within the substantially blank space forming the window, the said indicia being adapted to form a visually integral part of the markings on the back label.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a bottle according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bottle shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a rear view of the bottle shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and Figure 4 is a side view of the bottle shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

In the drawings a bottle is indicated generally at 10. The bottle 10 may be made in any known, conventional method from a transparent material such as glass or plastics. The bottle 10 may be of any desired shape but in the embodiment illustrated has a substantially flat front wall 11 and a substantially flat rear wall 12, the front and rear walls lying generally in parallel planes. Seen from the front or the rear the shoulders 13 of the bottle are arcuate. A generally cylindrical neck 14 adapted to receive a cap 15 extends upwardly from the shoulders.

The outer surface of the front wall 11 carries lettering 16 which is printed directly onto the glass of the bottle. This may indicate the brand name of the beverage to be contained in the bottle, the manufacturer's name and any other relevant information. The printing on the front face of the bottle also includes a rectangular blank space defining a transparent window 17, through which a person looking at the front of the bottle can see the rear wall 12.

The outer face of the rear wall 12 is opaque except for an area 18 which is transparent and which is aligned with the window 17 in the front wall of the bottle.

A label 19 having a picture on one face is adhered to the area 18 with the picture adjacent the outer face of the ' ack wail 12 so that the picture on tk Label 19 can be seen through the transparent window 17 in the front wall. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the picture comprises the figure of a cricketer striking a cricket ball.

Printed directly onto the outer surface of the front wall 11 and positioned within the window 17, is the representation of a cricket ball 20, so positioned that it forms an integral part of the picture on the label 19. Thus, when the bottle is filled with a transparent liquid, such as gin or vodka, a person looking at the front of the bottle will see the picture on the label 19 with the cricket ball 20 forming an integral part of that picture. This gives an unusual and pleasing effect which attracts the attention of the potential buyer.

In an alternative embodiment, it is envisaged that the picture on the label 19 may be printed directly onto the face of the back wall 12 within the transparent area 18. It is also envisaged that the matter printed on the front wall 11 may be printed on a label which is then adhered to the bottle, the window 17 being formed by a cut out area in the label.

A range of bottles may be provided, each having the same material printed on the front face of the bottle but each having a different but related picture on the back of the bottle to encourage consumers to acquire a complete set, for instance in the illustrated embodiment, a range of different back labels may be provided each illustrating a cricketer in a difficult pose or position but each adapted to cooperatively relate with the cricket ball printed on the front of the bottle so that the cricket ball in each case completes the picture.

The material printed on the back label may be varied and may not necessarily be pictorial, for instance it may incorporate advertising material or information related to the beverage contained in the bottle.

1. A bottle having markings on the front of the bottle, a substantially blank space on the front of the bottle forming a window therein, the bottle being substantially transparent in the region of the window, and a substantially transparent area on the back of the bottle aligned with the window in the front of the bottle and adapted to carry markings which can be seen through the window in the front of the bottle.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improved bottle The present invention is concerned with a bottle for holding a beverage. It is the common practice to attach front and back labels to a bottle, each label having information printed on its outer surface which can be seen and read by a person looking at the front or back of the bottle. We have now found that an unusual and attractive effect can be achieved by forming a transparent area in the front of the bottle and providing a back label which is aligned with the transparent area and which carries information which can be seen through the front of the bottle. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention we provide a bottle having markings on the front of the bottle, a substantially blank space on the front of the bottle forming a window therein, the bottle being substantially transparent in the region of the window and a substantially transparent area on the back of the bottle aligned with the window in the front of the bottle and adapted to carry markings which can be seen through the window in the front of the bottle. Preferably, the markings on the front of the bottle include indicia located within the substantially blank space forming the window, the said indicia being adapted to form a visually integral part of the markings on the back label. An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a bottle according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bottle shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a rear view of the bottle shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and Figure 4 is a side view of the bottle shown in Figs. 1 to 3. In the drawings a bottle is indicated generally at 10. The bottle 10 may be made in any known, conventional method from a transparent material such as glass or plastics. The bottle 10 may be of any desired shape but in the embodiment illustrated has a substantially flat front wall 11 and a substantially flat rear wall 12, the front and rear walls lying generally in parallel planes. Seen from the front or the rear the shoulders 13 of the bottle are arcuate. A generally cylindrical neck 14 adapted to receive a cap 15 extends upwardly from the shoulders. The outer surface of the front wall 11 carries lettering 16 which is printed directly onto the glass of the bottle. This may indicate the brand name of the beverage to be contained in the bottle, the manufacturer's name and any other relevant information. The printing on the front face of the bottle also includes a rectangular blank space defining a transparent window 17, through which a person looking at the front of the bottle can see the rear wall 12. The outer face of the rear wall 12 is opaque except for an area 18 which is transparent and which is aligned with the window 17 in the front wall of the bottle. A label 19 having a picture on one face is adhered to the area 18 with the picture adjacent the outer face of the ' ack wail 12 so that the picture on tk Label 19 can be seen through the transparent window 17 in the front wall. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the picture comprises the figure of a cricketer striking a cricket ball. Printed directly onto the outer surface of the front wall 11 and positioned within the window 17, is the representation of a cricket ball 20, so positioned that it forms an integral part of the picture on the label 19. Thus, when the bottle is filled with a transparent liquid, such as gin or vodka, a person looking at the front of the bottle will see the picture on the label 19 with the cricket ball 20 forming an integral part of that picture. This gives an unusual and pleasing effect which attracts the attention of the potential buyer. In an alternative embodiment, it is envisaged that the picture on the label 19 may be printed directly onto the face of the back wall 12 within the transparent area 18. It is also envisaged that the matter printed on the front wall 11 may be printed on a label which is then adhered to the bottle, the window 17 being formed by a cut out area in the label. A range of bottles may be provided, each having the same material printed on the front face of the bottle but each having a different but related picture on the back of the bottle to encourage consumers to acquire a complete set, for instance in the illustrated embodiment, a range of different back labels may be provided each illustrating a cricketer in a difficult pose or position but each adapted to cooperatively relate with the cricket ball printed on the front of the bottle so that the cricket ball in each case completes the picture. The material printed on the back label may be varied and may not necessarily be pictorial, for instance it may incorporate advertising material or information related to the beverage contained in the bottle. CLAIMS

2. A bottle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the markings on the front of the bottle include indicia located within the substantially blank space forming the window, the said indicia being adapted to form a visually integral part of the markings on the back of the bottle.

3. A bottle as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the markings on the front of the bottle include indicia located within the window and adapted to form a visually integral part of the markings on the back of the bot tle.

4. A bottle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the markings on the front of the bottle are printed directly onto the outer surface of the bottle.

5. A bottle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the markings on the front of the bottle are printed on a label which is adhered to the bottle, the window comprising a cut out portion in the label.

6. A bottle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the back of the bottle is opaque in the area surrounding the transparent area.

7. A bottle as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a label is attached to the transparent area on the back of the bottle, the label carrying the markings which can be seen through the window in the front of the bottle.

8. A bottle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the front and rear walls of the bottle lie in generally parallel planes.

9. A bottle substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.